Chapter Seven

Arnav placed his books into his locker and was about to close it when he saw Khushi coming his way. He noticed the other students looking at her as she walked, but she just looked down at the ground and went over to him.

"Hi," Arnav simply said.

"Yes."

"What?"

"You wanted me to move in with you. Now I said yes."

Arnav shut his locker and leaned against it. "All of a sudden you're saying yes," he asked, crossing his arms.

Khushi looked away. "Yes."

"Why?"

"Because...."

"Because?"

"Just... because...."

Arnav shrugged. "Stubborn mommy."

Khushi gaped. "Hey!"

Arnav chuckled. "Shall we go to class?"

"Whatever."

Khushi turned away and headed to class. As she walked, Arnav caught up with her and walked along with her. Khushi looked at him and he just smiled. She sped up her pace and Arnav did as well. When she slowed down, he did as well.

Khushi stopped. "What are you doing?"

"Um, walking with you?"

"Why?"

"Because I can."

Khushi let out a deep sigh. "Look, just because I'm agreeing to live with you, doesn't mean I'm suddenly your girlfriend or something."

"I don't care. You're my responsibility now."

"Excuse me?"

Without a word, Arnav walked into the classroom. Khushi followed in and then sat down in her seat. Arnav moved his seat back and sat next to Khushi.

"What are you doing," Khushi asked.

"Sitting next to you," Arnav replied.

Khushi groaned. "If I knew you'd act like this, then-"

"Well, would you look at that."

Arnav and Khushi looked up to see Lavanya and Sheetal.

"Now both of them are together," Lavanya continued.

"How cute," Sheetal said.

The two went to their seats to sit. Khushi rolled her eyes and looked at Arnav, who was rolling his eyes as well.

"Like I was saying, if I knew you'd act like this, then I never would've said yes," she hissed in the end.

"Chill babe. I just want my baby safe."

Khushi gaped as the teacher came in.

"Alright, settle down," the teacher said.

"What do you mean keep it safe," Khushi asked.

"Ms. Gupta."

Khushi looked up.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to teach."

Khushi shrunk in her chair and nodded. Arnav smirked slightly, glancing at Khushi. Their teacher began his lesson and as he had his presentation go on, Arnav reached out and placed his arm around Khushi. Khushi shrugged his arm off and gave him a face. Arnav just shrugged and smirked. Khushi rolled her eyes and looked away. Arnav did it again and Khushi shrugged him off again.

"Stop," Khushi whispered.

Arnav did it again anyways and Khushi sighed and didn't do anything, annoyed by him. After class ended, Arnav removed his arm and offered to help Khushi up, but she got up on her own.

Khushi walked out to the hallway, when Arnav stopped her.

"Khushi, wait."

Khushi sighed exasperatedly. "What?"

"I'll pick you up in front of the school. Then I'll take you to your place so you can get your stuff."

"You want me to move in today?!"

Arnav nodded. "Yeah. Oh, and once we collect your stuff, I'm taking you to the doctors."

"Why?"

"I'm assuming you haven't gone yet, so I'm taking you."

"Whatever," Khushi rolled her eyes and left to class.

*~*

After school, Khushi waited out in the front. She noticed people looking at her, and she tried her best to ignore. But just at the brink of losing her cool, Arnav appeared. Khushi couldn't help but to gaze at him. He came out the doors, holding a five-subject notebook in his hand, walking over to her with swag.

"Hey," Arnav said.

Khushi snapped back to reality. "Hi."

Arnav smirked lightly. "Still can't get over me."

Khushi frowned. "Shut up. Arrogant much," she whispered.

Arnav leaned in and whispered in her ear. "Suna maine."

Khushi looked at him wide eyed. "Good," and she turned away.

Arnav chuckled and held his hand out. "Come with me."

"I'll follow."

Arnav shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Arnav walked away and Khushi followed. They walked to the parking lot and Arnav went over to his Audi. He opened the door for Khushi and Khushi sheepishly got in. Arnav went around and got in the car and started it up. Khushi noticed the people around them looking at them.

"What's wrong," Arnav asked.

Khushi looked at Arnav. "Everyone's looking at us."

"Of course they will. We're only juniors in high school."

Khushi sunk in her seat. Arnav felt bad for what he said and apologized. Khushi just looked away and Arnav knew he shouldn't have said that. Arnav drove off, asking Khushi her address. He drove there and then arrived.

Khushi looked at Arnav nervously. "Please come in with me."

Arnav understood and he nodded. He got out of the car and quickly went around to open the door for Khushi. Khushi came out and led the way, going inside the building. Arnav looked around as he followed and went into the elevator. It went up and then Khushi led them out.

"You live here," Arnav asked.

"Yeah."

"But this-"

"Khushi?"

They looked up and saw Ammijan.

"Khushi, who is this...?"

"Ammijan, this is Arnav," Khushi said in a low voice. "He's...."

Ammijan looked at him. "I understand."

Arnav smiled slightly. "Assalamualaikum"

"Walaikumusalam. What's your name beta?"

"Arnav."

Ammijan nodded in acknowledgment.

"Ammijan, remember how I told you that he wants me to move in with him," Khushi asked.

Ammijan nodded.

"Well-"

"Ammijan," Arnav interjected, "if I may, may take Khushi to live with me? Starting today?"

Ammijan looked at the two and then at Arnav.

"Please?"

Ammijan looked away and then back at Arnav. "Okay. But do take care of her."

Arnav nodded. "Of course."

"And the child."

"With my life."

Chapter Six

Khushi sat in her room as thought of what Arnav had said earlier.

*Flashback*

"Khushi... I'm sure you haven't told your family about this."

*End of Flashback*

Khushi stood up, feeling really disturbed. She couldn't focus and she felt like the walls were caving in on her.

What do I do, she cried in her head.

Khushi looked up at the clock and saw that it was 3 AM. She just couldn't fall asleep. She continued to stay up, when there was a knock at her door.

"Khushi?"

It was Ammijan.

Khushi got up and opened the door. She saw Ammijan standing in her night clothes, tired.

"Khushi, why are you still awake?"

Khushi couldn't help herself but to break into tears and attacked Ammijan, hugging her tightly and crying.

"Khushi? What's wrong?"

Khushi just cried and Ammijan led her over to her bed and sat Khushi down. Pouring Khushi a glass of water, she gave it to Khushi and Khushi drank it slowly.

"Now tell me," Ammijan said as Khushi calmed down, "what's wrong?"

Khushi didn't say anything but sniffled.

"Khushi? Tell me. Otherwise how am I supposed to help you?"

"You can't help me," Khushi whispered. "It's too late."

"'Too late'? What do you mean?"

Khushi began to tear up again. "I'm..."

"You're...?"

"I'm... I'm pregnant," Khushi cried.

Ammijan looked at her in shock. "What," she breathed.

"I'm pregnant!"

Ammijan just gaped. "Wha-what? Are you sure? I mean, are you sure you're not just a bit late?"

Khushi shook her head. "I'm over two weeks," she cried.

Ammijan was still. She couldn't believe what she heard.

Khushi hugged Ammijan tightly. "I've committed such a big sin," she cried.

Ammijan caressed her hair. "Shh, you're young-"

"No Ammijan! I've committed such a great sin!"

"Shh," she soothed. "Just relax honey, just relax."

Khushi cried a little bit more and then calmed down. She stayed still, her head rested on Ammijan's shoulder, her staring off.

"Khushi," Ammijan began softly, "does the boy know?"

Khushi snapped back to reality and then slightly nodded. "Yes," she whispered.

"And did he say anything?"

"He wants me to move in with him."

"What?"

Khushi looked up at Ammijan, who looked shocked.

"He said that," Ammijan asked. "It's hard to believe. Especially since most boys don't want to have anything to do with pregnancy."

Khushi sighed. "I guess."

"What else did he say?"

"He wants me to move in with him so he can take care of the baby and me."

"That's kind of him. What did you say?"

"No." Khushi sighed. "Oh Ammijan, I don't know what to do! At some points, I feel like abortion is better."

"Shh! Don't ever say that Khushi! Besides, what fault did the baby commit?"

"You're right. It's the stupid mother at fault, not it."

"Don't say things like that."

Khushi laid down on Ammijan's lap. "What should I do, Ammijan?"

"I think you should give the boy a chance Khushi. Let him have his connection with his child."

Khushi looked up at her in fear.

"Honey, I'm not throwing you out, if that's what you're fearing. But I think you should go to him. Live with him, but be cautious. Don't strip the child of its father. You know what it's like not having both parents around."

Khushi sighed and nodded. "I do."

Ammijan kissed her forehead. "Whatever you do from now on, should not just be about you, but for your child. Okay?"

Khushi bit her quivering lip and nodded.

"Oh sweetheart," and Ammijan held her tightly as Khushi wrapped her arms around Ammijan's waist and cried into her belly.

"I'm so scared," Khushi cried.

"Shh... everything will be okay." Ammijan kissed Khushi's hair with a tear trailing down her cheek. "You're a strong girl Khushi. A very strong girl."

That night, Ammijan stayed with Khushi in her room and helped Khushi to fall asleep.

Chapter Five

"Khushi, I remember everything," Arnav repeated.

Khushi turned away as she snapped back to reality. "I don't know what-"

"Please cut the crap Khushi! I know that your baby is mine!"

"Arnav-"

"And I want responsibility in it."

Khushi looked at him in shock. "What?!"

"That's my baby. And I want it. So if you plan on aborting-"

"No! That's completely against my self moral."

"Good. And now, I want responsibility of my baby."

"Meaning?"

"I want you to move in with me."

"WHAT?!"

"Move in. With me."

"No! No, no, absolutely not!"

"Why not!"

"I'm not gonna leave my home for you! Who are you to me even-"

"I'm the father of your baby!"

Khushi flinched. There were some people in the hall who heard and turned. Shocked by the news, they quickly rushed back to class to gossip.

"Move into my home," Arnav said. "I want to make sure that my baby is healthy."

"Oh, so what are you trying to say? That I'm not healthy."

"Khushi-"

"This conversation is over. Im not moving in with you. The baby is just mine and I'm taking full responsibility for it. I don't want you involved, done. I'm going back to class."

Khushi turned on her heels and headed back to class. Arnav called out and followed her back. When they arrived back in the classroom, everyone turned and looked at them.

"Arnav is the father," all the students asked.

Khushi slumped and just looked at the class. She was definitely not going to be in peace this period. Nor was Arnav.

They walked inside and sat down in their seats. Lavanya and Sheetal just gaped at Khushi.

"OMG Khushi," Sheetal said. "Please tell me this is a joke!"

Khushi just ignored.

"Are you serious?! Arnav really is the father?!"

Arnav rolled his eyes. "Khushi-"

"No way though," Lavanya said, cutting Arnav off. "I mean you're Ms. Invisible and he's Mr. Ex-Bad Boy!"

Khushi looked away.

"Gee, aren't you nice," Payal said sarcastically.

Lavanya eyed her and Payal smiled back over-sweetly.

Arnav just rolled his eyes. "Khushi, can we please-"

"No Arnav," Khushi said, cutting him off. "I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"But we have to. So could you please move over here? That way those two won't intrude," he said, nodding his head at Lavanya and Sheetal.

"No."

"Khushi, I'm being nice. Please come over here."

"No."

"Khushi-"

"No."

Arnav rolled his eyes and grabbed her desk and dragged her over to him, surprising everyone else.

"Arnav-"

"Shh," he said, putting his finger to his lips. "Now I'm gonna talk."

Khushi just blinked once.

He sighed. "Look," he said lowly so only they heard, "I want responsibility for my kid. I want to take care of it and I wanna take care of you. I want to be responsible for my actions. So please Khushi, move in with me."

Khushi couldn't believe how he was owning up to it, but she shook her head. "No. I don't want you involved. I'll take care of the baby myself."

Arnav shut his eyes and exhaled sharply, as if he were keeping control of himself. "Khushi," he said as he opened his eyes, "I'm sure you haven't told your family about this."

Khushi looked at him wide eyed.

"And I bet they'd get mad."

Khushi thought of Ammijan. She'd probably throw me out, she said in her head.

"No," she gasped.

She looked at Arnav with wide eyes and he just looked at her. At that moment, the bell rang, and Khushi picked up her bag and move her seat back. She headed for the door, when Arnav went to her.

"Khushi-"

"Arnav please, I don't...."

She just left and didn't feel any good and ran to the bathroom to release her breakfast.

Chapter Four

"I don't know if we should be here," Khushi said.

"Oh why not," Payal asked. "We're juniors now! We should have some fun!"

"But we're juniors. And we should be studying and getting high scores so that colleges like us."

"Oh relax! It's only September. Now cummon!"

Payal dragged Khushi with her into the house that the party was being thrown at. People held glasses in their hands, which was obviously contained with beer. Payal took Khushi into the living room and saw snacks on a table.

"Want some punch," Payal asked.

"I dunno. I mean what if it's screwed?"

"I don't think so. Come on!"

Payal took her over to the table and got Khushi and herself some punch. Khushi took a sip and thought it tasted okay. So she continued to drink it.

Throughout the party, Khushi stayed with Payal. The two just sat and talked, eating and drinking punch. Khushi was in the middle of talking to Payal, when she saw Arnav. He had just come in and got a cup of beer. He went over to his friends and talked.

Khushi just looked at him when he turned and saw her. Khushi flinched instantly and looked away. She took a chance and glanced back at Arnav and saw him still looking at her. Khushi drank her punch and finished it.

"I'm gonna go get more punch," Khushi said and went over to the punch bowl.

One bowl was finished, so Khushi went to the other. She drank some of it and saw Arnav still looking at her. Finishing her punch, she got more. She couldn't help herself! With Arnav drinking his beer and looking at her, she felt super-conscious.

And this wasn't the first time.

During the summer, they had seen each other and this had happened. Khushi would get caught looking at him, as he would look at her. It even happened before the school year ended. But when school started this year, she would catch him looking at her. It was weird, but she liked it. Both would catch each other and look at each other.

Khushi finished her punch and got another cup. She kept drinking cup after cup and found it weird.

But what did she know that he was drinking the spiked bowl of punch.

"Khushi!"

Khushi turned and saw Payal. "Yeah?"

"Dude, what are you doing here? Come on!"

"'Kay."

Khushi went with Payal and hung out with her. She saw Arnav looking at her now and then, but didn't say anything.

And then Akash came.

Akash and Payal were... well, "on and off". They were together for a period and then they weren't. But after their most recent "incident", things were just unclear.

Payal had gotten pregnant. She was in shock when it had happened, but she was going to keep it. She had told Akash, and he was shocked. He was so shocked, that he didn't want to talk to her. Payal was hurt, but she didn't care. She was determined to keep her child and determined to raise it. Alone, even if she had to.

But it seemed life had its own plans. Payal was only 6 weeks, when the doctor told her that the baby had no chance of surviving. The baby was forming alright, but it's umbilical cord would eventually come in the way and choke the baby. Plus, the baby had a problem with its brain. It seemed that the fetus wasn't developing a brain. So had she continued, Payal would've ended up giving birth to a stillborn. That shocked Payal, and sadly, she had to abort the baby.

After that, Payal was just miserable. She would cry nonstop and Khushi would do her best to comfort her. But Payal was depressed. Akash had gotten news and it had hurt him a lot. He wanted to meet her, but Payal wouldn't. She hated him and had decided she didn't want to have anything to do with him. But Akash denied and wanted to talk to her.

One night, Akash had snuck into her room to talk. And that had pushed Payal off the edge. She blew her head off, yelling and blaming Akash, saying it was his fault that her baby died. She said that because he had turned away from her and their baby, that her baby was taken away from her.

After that, Akash was completely lost. He didn't know what to do. And this was all during the summer. Now, he had decided it was finally time to talk, and that the BS was enough.

"Hey Payal," Akash said.

Payal looked away. "Hi."

"Pays, I wanna talk to you."

"I don't."

"Babe, please-"

"Don't... call me that.... Please."

Khushi finished her punch. "Um, I'm gonna go get more punch."

"Khushi-"

"No Payal. You guys need to talk this out," and Khushi got up and left.

Khushi got more punch, drank it, not realizing the alcohol she was taking in. And soon she was buzzed. She had the urge to pee and she went to the bathroom. When she came out, she bumped into someone.

"Sorry, sorry," she chimed.

"Nah, it's okay."

Khushi looked up and saw Arnav.

"A-a-a... a-a-a... Arnav?"

"Yeah. And you're... you're... oh yeah! You're that cute chick, Khushi."

Khushi blushed. "You think I'm cute."

"Baby I think you're a lot of things."

"Oh? Really?"

"Yeah."

"Then prove it to me, Mr. I-always-look-at-you-but-don't-make-a-move."

Arnav scrunched his eyebrows. "I didn't know I had such a long name."

Khushi grinned foolishly. "You have a silly last name," and she stuck her tongue out.

Arnav smirked and took her hand and led her into a room. "So now you want me to prove it to, hmm?"

"Sir, yes sir," she saluted.

*Mature Content*
The two chuckled and tripped over each other and landed on the bed. They looked at each other for a second and then broke into laughter.

"Hey Khushi, you a virgin?"

"What do you think?"

"Um... virgin."

"Why?"

Arnav leaned over her. "Cause baby, I see the way you lookin' at me."

Khushi wrapped her arms around him. "That's cause you're sexy, baby."

"Oh? Am I?"

"Fuck yeah! Now kiss me!"

"With pleasure," and he kissed her.

The two kissed and then looked at each other. They just gazed at each other, when Arnav reached out and caressed her face. Khushi shut her eyes to his touch and then looked into his eyes. She cupped his face in her hand and Arnav shut his eyes to her embrace.

"I need to have you," Arnav whispered.

"Then take me," she whispered back.

And their lips joined again. Arnav brought Khushi up and soon their clothes flew of in different directions. They were skin on skin and were feeling each other. The environment around them was in heat as they felt each other, kissing and touching each other.

"Are you ready," Arnav whispered in her ear.

Khushi shivered. "Yes."

And then they became one. Khushi did feel pain but she didn't want to back away. Soon enough, the pain was gone and she loved the feeling of him within her.

"Arnav," she gasped, "please stop."

"Why baby? Don't like it?"

"I do but I feel something."

Arnav kissed her. "Because you're gonna come."

"What?"

Arnav didn't reply and entangled his fingers through hers and pinned them above her head. Burying his face in her neck, he began to move really fast. Khushi tried to free her hands, but his grip was tight. All Khushi could do was wrap her legs around his waist. She was breathing insanely, getting an unfamiliar feeling within her.

"Let go, Khushi," Arnav whispered in her ear. "Just feel everything and relax."

Khushi shut her eyes and tried to relax, just like Arnav said. He felt Arnav move fast within her and soon enough, she was gasping. She tightened her hold on his hands as wrapped her legs even tighter around his waist.

And then she shattered.

"Arnav," she cried out.

She threw her head back as she found her release. Her body felt loose and relaxed. As Khushi breathed heavily, Arnav was still moving fast as then found his release.

"Khushi," he cried out.

His grip tightened on her hands as he cried out from his orgasm. And then he collapsed on her body, moving a few more strokes.

As the two caught their breath, they held onto each other, covered in sweat, lust, and impassioned heat. Arnav picked himself up a bit and looked down at Khushi. Khushi slowly opened her eyes and looked at Arnav. The two were lost in each others gaze, unable to believe the passion they were in not to long ago.

"Tired," Arnav asked, his voice hoarse.

Khushi nodded. "You," she asked, her voice also hoarse.

Arnav nodded. "Hmm."

Arnav pulled out and Khushi winced. He laid down beside her and held her tightly to him. The two shut their eyes and caught some sleep, relaxed and sated.

*~*

Khushi woke up and felt something tight around her. As she blinked her eyes open, and looked to see Arnav asleep next to her, holding her tightly to him.

Khushi couldn't believe what she saw with her own two eyes. She looked around her range and realized she was naked and so was he. That's when she remembered what had happened. Carefully she lifted Arnav's hand away and found her clothes on the floor. Quickly, she wore her clothes and slipped out of the room and went to the bathroom.

What did I do? What did I do? What did I do, she cried in her head.

Everything replayed in her head and she shook it clear.

Don't think about it. Don't think about it. Don't. Think. About it.

Washing her face with cold water she looked at her reflection.

Hopefully he won't remember. Hopefully.

Khushi dashed out of the bathroom and saw that she had only been gone for an hour. She hurried home and saw that Ammijan and her siblings were asleep. She dashed to her room and quickly showered, trying to get rid of the memories.

But what did she know that in a matter of two weeks, everything would change. Or even, that within her body, at that very second, a change, was occurring.